How accurate is the Pillcheck test?

Pillcheck’s pharmacogenetic test is highly accurate at identifying the genetic variants it’s designed to detect. We use validated laboratory methods, and each sample goes through quality control checks before results are released. That said, it’s helpful to understand what "accuracy" means in this context:

• What is tested: The Pillcheck test includes genes and genetic variants (* alleles) recommended for testing by the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) guidelines. We maintain the Pillcheck testing panel to capture AMP Tier 1 and Tier 2 variants, ensuring high sensitivity. Accordingly, our test and reports do not include genes not covered by these guidelines (for example, pharmacodynamic genes such as COMT and MTHFR).
  
  
• Genotyping accuracy: The lab process itself is highly reliable at correctly reading your DNA at the specific gene locations we test.
  
  
• Clinical interpretation: Your results show how your genes may influence your response to certain medications, based on established pharmacogenomic research. This is one important piece of information for your health care team — not a guarantee of how you’ll respond to any specific drug.
  
  
• Factors outside genetics: Things like liver/kidney function, other medications, diet, biological sex, and lifestyle can also affect how you respond to a medication, so your genetic results work best alongside your doctor’s or pharmacist’s full assessment.

If you ever have questions about your specific results, we recommend reviewing them with your prescribing doctor or pharmacist, who can put them in context with your complete health picture. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about your Pillcheck results.